S0302000
Page 6
General Maintenance Procedures
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HYDRAULIC SYSTEM CLEANLINESS AND OIL LEAKS
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS FOR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SERVICE
Whenever m aintenance, r epairs or an y othe r typ e o f tr oubleshooting o r se rvice i s bei ng performed, it ’s
important to r emember th at the hydraulic system – including both t he interior an d e xterior s urfaces o f
assemblies, and every drop of operating fluid – must be protected from contamination.
Dust and other foreign c ontaminants are ma jor co ntributors to premature wear in h ydraulic c ircuits. The
narrow tolerances, rapidly moving parts and high operating pressures of the system require that fluid be
kept as cl ean as pos sible. The pe rformance and dependability of the ma chine (and the service li ft of
individual components) can be noticeably reduced if proper precautions are not observed:
• Use a s afe, n on-combustible, e vaporative-type, l ow-residue sol vent an d tho roughly c lean
exterior surfaces of assemblies before any part of the circuit is opened up or disassembled.
NOTE:
It’s just as important to c lean the cap and r eservoir to p b efore r outine fl uid changes or
quick c hecks a s i t is bef ore ma jor r epairs. ( Accumulated d irt attr acts mo isture, oi l an d
other fluids – as well as more dirt.)
• Keep dismantled parts covered during disassembly. Use clean caps, plugs or tape to protect the
disconnected openings of flanges, manifolds and piping.
• Do not allow cleaning solvents or other fluids to mix with the oil in the system. Use clean oil to
flush any traces of solvent or other residue before reassembly.
• If metal or rubber fragments are found in th e system, flush and replace all fluid in the system
and troubleshoot the circuit to identify the source of contamination.
OIL LEAKAGE PRECAUTIONS
Oil that is visibly seeping from joints or seals should always serve as a “red flag” alarm.
Leaks must alert the m achine operator and maintenance crew that air, water and dir t have an open, free
passageway through which to enter the circuit. Harsh, corrosive salt air, freezing and thawing condensation
cycles and working environments that are ful l of fi ne dus t ar e es pecially ha zardous. Clogging of valve
spools o r e xternal piping (especially pil ot c ircuit piping) c an g radually dim inish or very s uddenly pu t a
complete stop to nor mal hydraulic func tion. You ca n prevent having to mak e the se ty pes of repairs by
following recommended assembly procedures:
1. Use new O-rings and oil seals whenever hydraulic assemblies are rebuilt.
2. Prepare joint surfaces prior to as sembly by checking alignment and flatness. Clean and repair
corrosion or any other damage.
3. Follow bolt torque recommendations and all other assembly requirements.
IMPORTANT
Make sure that cleaning solvents will be compatible with rubber materials used in the hydraulic
system. Many petroleum based compounds can cause swelling, softening, or other deterioration
of system sealing elements, such as O-rings, caps and other seals.
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